Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates signs copies of his new memoir on Fort Bragg

Tuesday

Jan 28, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2014 at 7:07 AM

By Gregory Phillips

Caroline Stokes was first in line Monday to get her copy of former Defense Secretary Robert Gates's controversial memoir signed by the man himself.

Make that five copies.

"Some of my colleagues couldn't be here," said Stokes, who took leave from her civilian Department of Defense job on post and got books signed for friends who couldn't get the morning off.

She waited in line for 2hours at Fort Bragg's South Post Exchange to be one of several hundreds of readers who got their copies of "Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War" inscribed with the author's signature.

"I really respect his vision for how we manage the department and how we take care of soldiers," said Stokes, whose job involves helping manage the 18th Airborne Corps' $600 million budget.

Wearing a neck brace after a fall at his home on New Year's Day, the 70-year-old Gates spent a couple of hours signing copies of his memoir. The line formed at 9:30 and by the time Gates began signing books at noon, it stretched through the exchange's mall-style foyer and along the sidewalk outside. The 500 copies the store stocked had dwindled to just a few dozen. After 45 minutes, Gates had signed about 150 books, with another 150 people still in line.

Gates, who did not grant interviews during his visit, greeted each visitor with a smile and a brief word of thanks. His book has generated controversy since its release earlier this month for its criticism of President Obama's war leadership and Vice President Joe Biden. Gates said Biden has been wrong on national security for decades. White House officials disputed Gates' account, but on several TV appearances he has called it "an honest account."

Wayne Knox, a retired Army sergeant, said he appreciates Gates' frankness.

"In this book, Gates is very direct in his writing about Obama's inept aptitude for the military and the mission in Afghanistan," Knox said.

Gates was secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011, serving under George W. Bush and Barack Obama. An Air Force veteran, he was director of the Central Intelligence Agency under George H. W. Bush and worked for eight presidents in his career.

Monday wasn't Gates' first trip to Fort Bragg. In October 2008, he congratulated 41 troops who received U.S. citizenship in a ceremony at Pope Air Force Base during a visit that took in U.S. Army Special Operations Command units and the 82nd Airborne Division.

Some visitors to his table Monday got more than a word or two. Gates is national president-elect of the Boy Scouts of America and took the time to sign the Tiger Cub Handbooks of a couple of Boy Scouts who went through the line. He also exchanged pleasantries with Aaron Bettes and Marty Smith, who were part of his security detail and have since been reassigned to Fort Bragg. They lined up with everyone else Monday and both said they were keen to read a book written by someone they worked alongside.

"We have a little more insight, I guess," Bettes said, "but it's nice to put it in a wider context."

Staff writer Gregory Phillips can be reached at phillipsg@fayobserver.com or 486-3596.

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